Maria is teaching the equines a new game, a new trick: touch with your nose. If the donkey or pony touches the food pan, they get a great. The donkeys got this game instantly, they touch the pan as soon as they see it, Chloe is taking a bit more time, but is picking it up. Being a pony, she just wants the treat, she doesn’t want to do anything to get it.

Maria’s timing, voice and body language are great, usually training makes her tense and uncertain, but the trust between her and the ponies and donkeys is palpable, training is nothing but fun, as it ought to be. These games were designed by an equine behaviorist, they teach the person and the horse how to talk to each other, pay attention and bond.

The animals love it, so does Maria. All good animal training is intuitive, not instructive. You use your own tools, your own judgement, your own self-awareness and environment. People are always looking for the guru to tell them what to do, but they are the guru, they just don’t know. Maria is learning it.